School system in Spain: all the information for a successful education of expatriate children

For work reasons, you must move to Spain with your family. But conscientiously educating your child (or children), you are already concerned about a question of capital importance: "how can my child take full advantage of the school system in Spain?" " Such a concern is legitimate, especially since it is your child's future.

But in everything there is a way out. In other words, our real estate agency - knowledgeable about the Spanish real estate market and all that is associated with it - edifies you today on the theme of the education system in Spain.

General information on the Spanish education system

Placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, the Spanish education system cannot escape the "Ley orgánica de Educación" (organic law of education). Thus, all children between 6 and 16 years old must - and free of charge - attend school.

Three groups of educational establishments provide education in Spain: public schools (colegios publicos), semi-private schools (colegios concertados, partially subsidized by the State) and private schools (colegios privados). Classes take place either in the morning only ("jornada continua"), or in the morning and afternoon ("jornada partida").

In general, the academic year runs from September to June. It is broken down into 3 terms followed respectively by the Christmas, Easter and long summer vacations.

Lessons take place ideally between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. - including a lunch hour. However, lessons end at 2 p.m. in some schools which do not include the lunch break; they can start at 8 a.m. in others and end at 5 p.m. or even 6 p.m.

It should be noted that the Spanish school system differs from that of France on several points including, among others:

● The double condition for entering university (bachillerato "+ selectividad);       

● Time differences regarding the start (9 am or 10 am) and the end of the course (5 pm or 9 pm), depending on the region;       

● The introduction of religious courses in the official program, etc.       

Schooling in Spain: which course for which diplomas in the public?

In Spain, public schools (as well as private ones) are accessible to both Spaniards and foreigners. Hierarchically, the Spanish educational system extends from kindergarten to university, including primary school and high school.

Nursery school ("preescolar")

Optional, kindergarten educates children aged 3 to 5 years. It is subdivided into three levels: the small, the medium and the large sections.

Primary school ("escuela primaria")

It trains children from 6 to 11 years old. The elementary school year spans 175 days to 200 working days (Monday to Friday). There are taught on average 5 subjects per day.

Secondary education ("educación secundaria obligatoria" / ESO)

Upon leaving elementary school, students are welcomed from 12 years of age by secondary education. The educational program here is 4 years. The end of studies is sanctioned by a "graduado en educación secundaria" or, failing that, by a "certificado de escolaridad" (certificate of schooling).

Upper secondary education (high school)

Admission to this level of education is subject to obtaining the "graduado en educación secundaria". At the end of this cycle, students must obtain the "bachillerato" (baccalaureate), in order to pass the "selectividad" (university entrance examination).

University

It therefore receives students holding a bachillerato and having successfully passed their selectividad. Registrations are open at the end of the current academic year. Registration fees are around € 1,000. Up to the age of 28, students (Spanish and expatriates) are covered by health insurance…

Note that in the constitution of your child's registration files, you may be asked for your NIE (identification number for foreigners). It is a document which is required of you in all your steps in Spain. The process for obtaining it is developed in the article: "Expatriation to Spain: all the procedures and formalities explained from A to Z".

School system in Spain and student accommodation

Schooling your child well in Spain suggests accommodation conducive to the good conditions of their life and their studies. For this, some schools offer accommodation services to their pupils and students. But you may prefer - as a future expatriate working in Spain - that your child live with you.

By the way, have you ever thought about your real estate purchase in Spain ? Have you ever imagined the type of house or apartment you dream of? Whatever your real estate project, we can - as we have done for many other expatriate workers - help you make it happen. So, to take advantage of our expertise in the Spanish real estate market in general and that of the Costa Brava in particular, you just need to contact us.